How to pick your perfect beach in the Maltese islands

by Yellow

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They say life's a beach. Just like life involves taking difficult decisions, it can be hard to pick from the 56 beaches scattered around Malta and Gozo’s shoreline when you’re craving a swim. There is a wide open sea of possibilities, literally!

Instead of wasting time asking around and testing the waters, we’re going to help you narrow down your options thanks to the advice of Which Beach, a local website and app which can help you pick your perfect beach every single time.

Whether you’re looking for a child-friendly seaside spot, or you’d rather venture off the beaten track to enjoy a secluded relaxation, by the time we’re through, you’ll know exactly which beaches in the Maltese islands to go to according to your personal checklist.

So get your sunscreen, towel and picnic cooler ready, and let’s dive in!

It’s all about the location

North, south, east, west… finding the perfect beach is always best. Every coastal area in Malta and Gozo has gorgeous beaches, so it all depends on how far from home you’re willing to travel to find your personal paradise.

The majority of our beaches are located towards the north of Malta in Buġibba, Sliema, St. Julians and, most notably, Mellieħa. In fact, there are 10 beaches in Mellieħa alone! But there are countless alternatives in the southern part of Malta, especially in Marsaskala and Marsaxlokk, not to mention the 13 beaches that Gozo has to offer, and the four unique swimming locations scattered all over Comino. Yes, there’s more to this tiny island than the Blue Lagoon!

Sandy beaches are usually easier and safer to explore, making them ideal for young children or elderly family members. Sand is also more comfortable to sunbathe on, and sometimes there’s nothing quite like feeling the texture of sand between your toes. However, you will inevitably carry some sand home, and into your car. So if you hate the post-sandy-beach vacuuming, you might want to opt for rocks.

Rocky beaches are definitely more interesting to explore. They might not always be the safest to manoeuvre around, or the kindest to your feet. Just be careful where to step and wear the right type of shoes.

Some beaches even provide a combination of the two. Take the large stretch of St. Thomas Bay in Marsascala for instance - a picturesque area in the south of Malta with a sandy and rocky mix

Enclosed and tranquil versus overcrowded and noisy

When it comes to the beach experience, some look forward to sunbathing in a quiet environment. Others prefer socialising on a beach buzzing with people and activity.

Certain bays in the Maltese islands are much more popular than others and during peak hours (late mornings and early afternoons) you’ll struggle to find an empty spot. So just in case you’re thinking of heading to Għadira or Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq, two of the most visited bays, you might want to consider an early morning or late afternoon trip.

The Blue Lagoon in Comino has become an absolute sensation of a destination. It’s got water sport activities happening constantly, Instagrammable drinks sold in pineapples, and is a perfect place for stargazing on summer nights. But it’s constantly crowded, almost 24/7. Good thing there other equally beautiful beaches you can visit in Comino! Go ahead and explore Santa Maria Bay and St. Nicholas Bay, or the rockier and more daring Crystal Lagoon — they are only a stone’s throw away from Blue Lagoon.

Malta and Gozo also have plenty of their own quieter alternatives. These lesser known beaches are usually tougher to get to unless you venture out to them on foot. But the end experience is completely worth it! Qarraba Bay, which is parallel to Għajn Tuffieħa, together with the gorgeously pebbly Mistra Bay in Xemxija and Xatt l-Aħmar in Għajnsielem are just a few of the more peaceful beaches our islands have to offer. Imġiebaħ Bay in Mellieħa deserves a mention too — it is so secluded and tranquil that it is now also one of Malta’s most popular camping locations.

Nothing beats a beautiful view

Whichever beach you pick, the Maltese islands are never short of heavenly sea views. The panorama visible from Wied iż-Żurrieq for example, which is right next to the equally beautiful Blue Grotto, is to die for. The area is as stunning underwater, with sealife and a shipwreck ready to explore and photograph.

Then there’s the boat-filled view from Spinola Bay, the architectural landscape from Balluta Bay, dominated by the local gothic-style church, and the impressive vista from Mellieħa’s White Tower Bay — they are all visually unique in their own fantastic way.

But there’s one beach which beats them all! Wied il-Għasri in Gozo is an indescribable paradise that could easily be home to actual mermaids. The pristine condition of Slugs Bay in Mellieħa, despite its cringeworthy name, makes it a close runner-up.

Then of course there’s sunrise and sunset - also known as the golden hours. The best beaches to witness sunrise are located on the Eastern side of the Maltese islands. These include the likes of Żonqor Point in Marsascala, Qui-Si-Sana in Sliema, the very underrated Xgħajra Bay in the outskirts of Żabbar and the hidden Gozitan gem of Daħlet Qorrot in Nadur.

A romantic walk along the beach combined with a sunset is a magical moment you can achieve very easily in the Maltese islands. Savour the end to a summer evening by heading to any of our Western beaches, such as Fomm ir-Riħ in Baħrija (which is also perfect for a bright starry night as a follow-up to the sunset) and Għar Lapsi in Siġġiewi (where you can catch a glimpse of Filfla).

Ideal for a family (or pet) outing

Some beaches are better equipped for children and elderly family members. You’ll often find that they are safer to access, easier for vulnerable people to enjoy without risking injury, and have very diligent lifeguards on duty. And if someone joining you uses a wheelchair, these beaches are the most accessible in accommodating them.

For your next family day out at the beach, try Qawra Point next to the Kennedy Grove family park, St. George’s Bay in St. Julians or Xlendi Bay in Gozo, which has a sandy area leading into reliable shallow waters. Santa Maria Bay is also widely suggested for families wanting to discover Comino, and has become known as one of our islands’ safest beaches.

And let’s not forget about our furrier family members! Not every dog is a fan of swimming, but it’s good to know which beaches are ideal for your canine pal. Some of the most dog-friendly beaches on the islands are Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Bay, Little Armier in Mellieħa and Mġarr ix-Xini in Sannat, Gozo.

Looking for a nautical adventure?

Beaches aren’t just for swimming and sunbathing. There are plenty of other exciting activities you can dip your feet into. Divers from all over the globe come to the Maltese islands to immerse themselves in our clear blue waters. So why not try it yourself, since it’s so close to home?

Many of our beaches are ideal for divers. In fact, Anchor Bay in Mellieħa, as well as the Xwejni and Xlendi bays in Gozo, are perfect for beginners. Perched Beach in Buġibba is probably the best choice overall, because you can easily rent diving equipment and enlist the services of an instructor all summer long.

If diving is too ambitious for you, snorkelling is another great option. The unspoilt Kalanka Bay in Marsaxlokk, the clear greenish waters of Ħondoq ir-Rummien in Qala and the undisputed beauty of San Blas Bay in Nadur all guarantee an exciting experience when witnessing their sealife up close.

For those adventurers who would rather stay above the water, some beaches offer water sports. From canoeing and kayaking, to more exhilarating activities like paragliding and fly-boarding, some of your best bets for water sports are Ċirkewwa Bay, Armier Bay, Marsalforn Bay and the Buġibba Front.

You’ve been wanting to host a BBQ at the beach

Where can you barbecue in the Maltese islands? It’s actually illegal to make any form of fire or use BBQ equipment on sandy beaches. Golden Bay in Mellieħa and the designated BBQ area at Għadira are the only exceptions, but you’ll still need to apply for a permit from the local council.

There are usually no issues with having a BBQ on a rocky beach. Unless you are going to be a group of more than 10 people, in which case it would be a good idea to consult the local council and check whether you’ll still need to apply for a permit.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks…all within arm’s reach

When going to most beaches in Malta and Gozo, you don’t really need to pack any food with you. You’re sure to find cafeterias and bars nearby, as well as the many food and drink stalls set up throughout the summer.

The variety of food and drink outlets surrounding places like St. Thomas Bay in Marsascala, St. George’s Bay in St. Julians and Balluta Bay is practically endless. Other beaches, such as Għażżenin Bay in St. Paul’s Bay and Daħlet il-Fekruna in Xemxija maintain a nautical theme with restaurants right next to them serving delicious fresh fish.

The environmentalist in you loves a Blue Flag

The Maltese islands boast having twelve Blue Flag beaches. These are certified, on an international level, as sustainable and environmentally-friendly beaches in terms of their bathing water quality, safety and overall operations. These exemplary beaches include Font Għadir in Sliema, Paradise Bay in Mellieħa, Ramla l-Ħamra in Xagħra and, of course, Għajn Tuffieħa.

But worth mentioning as well is Xrobb l-Għaġin in Marsaxlokk. Although it doesn’t have a Blue Flag, this beach forms part of a nature park covering over 150,000 square metres. Apart from relishing in its crystal clear waters, you can explore the ruins of a megalithic temple next to the beach dating back to at least 3000BC.

Aside from interesting information about every beach in the Maltese islands, the Which Beachwebsite and app provide a 5-day beach forecast, suggesting the best beach to visit on that day depending on the weather.

Do you now have a better idea of which beach is meant for you? Next, you’ll need to look the part with the best quality swimwearand sunglasses. Go ahead and find your perfect fit from the businesses listed on Yellow!